The investigation follows an incident last June, where the woman unexpectedly kissed Jin's face during a hug event in Seoul, leading to complaints from other fans and police action.
Japanese Woman Investigated for Kissing BTS's Jin at Fan Event
Japanese Woman Investigated for Kissing BTS's Jin at Fan Event
A Japanese woman faces legal scrutiny for kissing BTS member Jin during a fan interaction, raising questions about fan behavior and boundaries in the K-pop industry.
The incident has ignited discussions about the fine line between fan enthusiasm and inappropriate behavior, emphasizing the ongoing issues within fandom culture.
A Japanese woman is currently under investigation by South Korean authorities after kissing K-pop star Jin from the boy band BTS during a fan event in Seoul last year. The controversial incident took place during a special event on June 13, 2024, shortly after Jin's discharge from military service, when he conducted a “hugathon” for selected fans, allowing them to hug him. While hundreds participated and followed the event's rules, one individual created a stir by kissing Jin's face.
Jin, whose birth name is Kim Seok-jin, appeared surprised, turning his head quickly during the unexpected kiss, showcasing his discomfort with the act. This moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, igniting backlash from the BTS fan community, known as ARMY, prompting one fan to file a criminal complaint against the woman. As a result, police in South Korea initiated an investigation into the incident, seeking to hold the woman accountable for what they classified as sexual harassment in a public space.
The Korean police have refrained from disclosing the woman's identity, although they confirmed they have successfully identified her with help from Japanese law enforcement. She later shared a post on her blog, claiming that she had kissed Jin “on his neck” and described the experience as touching his “very soft” skin, further inflaming public sentiment against her actions.
This incident has stirred conversations about the complexities of fan interactions with idols in the K-pop world. While K-pop artists often engage with fans intimately to foster loyalty and promote their brand, the boundaries of such interactions can sometimes become blurred. This situation has highlighted the troubling phenomenon of obsessive fandom, where certain individuals display behavior that can be harmful or intrusive.
As K-pop group BTS navigates its future with several members still serving in the military—Jin being the first to complete his service—fans and agencies are increasingly becoming aware of and addressing the challenges posed by toxic elements within the fan culture, especially the unsettling behaviors exhibited by ‘sasaeng’ fans, known for their obsessive devotion and detrimental actions towards idols.
In the wake of this investigation, it is evident that more dialogue is necessary regarding the responsibilities and limits associated with fandom, ensuring the protection and respect of artists while acknowledging their connection with fans.
A Japanese woman is currently under investigation by South Korean authorities after kissing K-pop star Jin from the boy band BTS during a fan event in Seoul last year. The controversial incident took place during a special event on June 13, 2024, shortly after Jin's discharge from military service, when he conducted a “hugathon” for selected fans, allowing them to hug him. While hundreds participated and followed the event's rules, one individual created a stir by kissing Jin's face.
Jin, whose birth name is Kim Seok-jin, appeared surprised, turning his head quickly during the unexpected kiss, showcasing his discomfort with the act. This moment, captured on video, quickly went viral, igniting backlash from the BTS fan community, known as ARMY, prompting one fan to file a criminal complaint against the woman. As a result, police in South Korea initiated an investigation into the incident, seeking to hold the woman accountable for what they classified as sexual harassment in a public space.
The Korean police have refrained from disclosing the woman's identity, although they confirmed they have successfully identified her with help from Japanese law enforcement. She later shared a post on her blog, claiming that she had kissed Jin “on his neck” and described the experience as touching his “very soft” skin, further inflaming public sentiment against her actions.
This incident has stirred conversations about the complexities of fan interactions with idols in the K-pop world. While K-pop artists often engage with fans intimately to foster loyalty and promote their brand, the boundaries of such interactions can sometimes become blurred. This situation has highlighted the troubling phenomenon of obsessive fandom, where certain individuals display behavior that can be harmful or intrusive.
As K-pop group BTS navigates its future with several members still serving in the military—Jin being the first to complete his service—fans and agencies are increasingly becoming aware of and addressing the challenges posed by toxic elements within the fan culture, especially the unsettling behaviors exhibited by ‘sasaeng’ fans, known for their obsessive devotion and detrimental actions towards idols.
In the wake of this investigation, it is evident that more dialogue is necessary regarding the responsibilities and limits associated with fandom, ensuring the protection and respect of artists while acknowledging their connection with fans.
